Gauge



' Oct; 29,1929.

P. H. MITCHELL GAUGE Filed March 18, 1927 Patented Oct. 29, 1 929 1,733,550 1 f p i PORTIS H. MITCHELL, or DALLAS, Texas" v GAUG Application filed mmnis, 1927. Serial No.'176,467.

This invention relates to measuring instruments, and more particularly to gauges for use in determining measurements on worn car axle journals and the like. v c One of the objects of the invention'is the provision of a new and improved device for gauging fillet wear on worn car axles.

,Another object of the invention is the pro= vision of a new and improved device for gauging the fillet wear of car axles, determining the over-all length of the journals, and for indicating the radial wear on said axle journal. I d

Other objects of the invention are the provision of a new and improved gauge that is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, easily assembled, and one with which the different measurements may be readily taken and the readings made with ease and facility. Other and further objectsand advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which i Fig. 1 is a side elevationof the device, show- 2 ing car axles of different sizes in dotted-lines; Fig. 2 is a section :on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a portion Ora car journal, with a worn fillet and with a portion of the gauge in position thereon.

The journals of car axles become worn by use,thisis especially true of the fillet at the inner end of the journal. It is the common practice when the fillets of car axle journals become worn to restore their'proper contour by turning the same. In some instances the principal wear is on the intermediate portion of the fillet whereby the fillet shoulder is more nearly straight or perpendicular, while in other cases the wear occurs on its outer surface, thereby lengtheningthe fillet shoulder. In either case, the journal may be turned to restore the proper contour to the fillet if such turningwill result in a '45 journal meeting the requirements of the American Railway Association which govern such constructions. I

The construction of car axle journals is in conformity to "certain rules which prescribe the tolerances permissible in their construc:

tion. If a worn car axle journal can'beturned within the limits or measurements'laid down by those rules, thejournal is turned and the axle replaced, If; on the other hand, this cannot be done,-the 'axle must be discarded, and a new one inserted in its place. i The purpose of the present'nventionis to I provide a measuring instrument for measur'-,: ing Worn axle journals to determinewhether the same are of sufficient dimensionsto permit them to be turned and the proper curvature of the fillets restored without exceeding cer tain dimensional limits thathave beenpre scribed by the American Railway'Association for such constructions. c I 1 Referring now to thedrawings,on which is shown one embodiment of the invention, the reference character 10 designatesthe gauge "which comprises a staff or measuring arm 11 having an enlargement at oneend, at one or both side edges thereof. 7 As shown, it is enlarged at each side edge to form the lateral projections 12 and 13. p The stafl is also pro-1 vided with an extension asat F14. The enlargements or projections areprovided at their outer edges with fiat surfaces 15 and 16 that are parallel with each other and with the axis of said measuring arm 11.. These.

parallel surfaces merge into surfaces 17 and 18 respectively which are curved to ,correspond to the curvature of the fillets on car axle journals The curvature at 17 is the 1 same as the curvature of fillets of the smaller I journals 19 indicated by the dotted lines and notations above the gauge in Fig. 1, and the curvature at 18 is the same as that of the fillets of the larger axles 21, 22 and'23 shown by dotted lines superposed belowthe gauge and indicated by suitable notations in Fig. 1. These notations are thelimits for turned, or what is known as seco'ndhanchaxles.

These curved surfaces terminate opposite I each other in a line atright angles to the axis of the staff 11. Thestaff is graduated both Ways from this line, as indicated at 31,and95 32. An indicator slide 38 slidably mounted on the staff 11 is provided with an indeXB L for indicating theadjustment of said slide. Theslide is held inadjusted postion by any suitable means as the spring-pressed'friction V pendicular to the axis of the The gauge'in Fig. l is shown as being applied to the journal 21. The curved projection 18 is in contact with the fillet35 and the outer end of the slide 33 abuts the inner surface of the collar 36. The index 34 indicates the length of the journal.

The fillets of car axle journals become worn 'by use. The fillets are said to be worn straight when their radius becomesshorter or their surface becomes more nearly perjournal, and are said to be worn long when their radius becomes greater or their length increases,

the axis of the journal.

In Fig. 3 is shown a portion of an axle 24 provided witha journal 25 having its fillet 2 6 worn straight. In order to 'restore'the whereby they are more nearly parallel with proper. curvature a portion of the metal of theguard'seat 27 must evidently be removed, which operation will increase the length of the journal. v

Suitable means are provided for determin ing. how much of the metal must be turned from the dust guard seat in order tor-estore the proper curvature to the fillet 26. Indicator members adjustably mounted on'the enl-argement are employed for this purpos shown, the enlargement in the staff is pro vided with an angular slot ll for receiving the heads of indicator screws l2 and These screws are preferably arranged at a substantially l5'degree angle to the axis of the staff, although it is understood they may be arranged at a. difierent angle, if desired.

The inner marginal walls of the angular slot 41 are graduated, as shown at 44 and 45.1 The screws 42 and 43 have enlarged heads which may. be knurled and are preferably provided with disk-like indicator members or pointers 4G6 and 47. The pointers will indicate the distance between the curved surfaces 17 and 18 and the fillets, which, added tothe length of the journalas indicated by the index will give the. length the journals will be when they have been turned and the proper curvatures restored to the fillets. For instance, in Fig. 3, the indicator 47 is half-way between the third and fourth marks 4'5, which means that if these marks are inch apart, three and one-halfsixteenths must be added. to the length of the journal in order to restorethe proper curvature to the fillet 26. r V V If the fillet is'worn long the curve 18 will engage the inner portion and the shoulder formed by the fillet and dust guard journal .27 will bespaced from the curved surface 18 ofthegauge. This distance'will be indicated at 32 on extension which, added to the amountindicated'by the index finger '34, will since the fillet'i's, lo-rig this length will also be the-length ofthejournal after it is turned.

Suitable markslor graduations areialsoprogive the present length of the journal, and

' marks 51 and 52 which are parallel with the axis of the gauge. The markhlis in alinement with the surface of the dust guard ournal when the axle 19 is new, and when the axle has been re-turned the mark 52 must not be below the surface of the dust guard. Consequently when the gauge is applied to worn axles that were 4% x 8 when new, the line 52rwill indicate at once whether or not the axle must be discarded. If the mark 52 falls radially inwardly of the outer surface of the dust guard journal the car axle must be dis carded. As shown, the axle 19. has reached the limit. r

Similarly the projection or extension 13 is providedwith three lines 53, 54 and 55 which are parallel with the axis of the gauge. The mark 53 indicates the limit for 11 inch journals,oand the mark 54 thelimit for 9- and 10 inch journals. The 1mark 55 indicates the, normal line when these axles are new.

In the operation of the device,the gauge is placed on the journal with either the curved surface 17 or 18, depending on the size-of the axle, in contact with the fillet and the slide 33 moved against the straight portion of the collar 36 of the journal, and the readings taken asindicated above. It will thus be apparent that at a glance the worlnnenean determine.

' what will be the length anddiameterofthe axle when it has been returned'to. proper curve to the fillet.

It is thought from the foregoing takenin connection with the accompanying drawings restore. the

that the construction and operation of my dee said stafi having its outer'surfaces'ciuved' to difierent radii to correspond'to the curvature of fillets. in car axle journals, said'st-afi being extended beyond said enlargement and provided. with graduations onthe. extended portion, said enlargement having lines. thereon parallel with the axisof'said stafi for indhiating the limit of'radial' wear on said journa s.

2. A measuring "instrument for car axle ournals' com risnw. a stafli havln radua- 2 v e, j b a ,tions thereon, an enlargement. at one end: of

said staff having the forward portions of their edge surfaces. curved to. correspond to thecurvature of fillets in. car axle journals, said staff being provided. with. a graduated extension for ascertaining the destined greater length of worn axle journals should the fillets be restored to their respective normal curvature.

3. A measuring instrument for car axle journals comprising a staff having graduations thereon, means on said staff for engaging the fillet of a car axle journal and conforming to the normal curvature of said fillet, means on said instrument including a graduated extension thereon for indicating the wear on said fillet and additional means for indicating the radial wear on said axle ournal. g

4. A gauge for car axle journals comprising a staff having a lateral extension at one end thereof, the periphery of said extension being curved to conform to the normal curve of the fillet of a car axle journal, and said staff being provided with a plurality of marks parallel with the axis thereof for indicating the diameter of car axle journals, and means including a graduated extension on said staff for determining the length of said journal between the dust guard seat and its inner end and the collar at its outer end.

5. A gauge for car axle journals for determining limits of diameters of car axles comprising a stalf, projections extending laterally in opposite directions from one end portion of said staff, the periphery of each extension being curved to conform to the curvature of fillets of car axle journalsof different types, and having a plurality of marks on each extension parallel with the axis of said staff for indicating the normal condition and limits of wear of car axle journals of different types.

A g g 16 journals comprising a stafi having a portion curved at one end to conform to the curvature of a fillet on a car axle journal and having its opposite end graduated for determining the length of car axle journals, and a graduated extension on said staff extending longitudinally thereof beyond the curved portion thereof.

7. A gauge for car axle journals comprising a staff having a curved portion at one end, having a slot therein, a graduated extension beyond said curved portion, said staff I having graduationson the marginal edge of said slot, a screw extending through said curved portion, and an index within said slot and threaded on said screw.

8. As an article of manufacture, a gauge for car axle journals comprising a staff, lateral extensions adjacent one end of said staff, said extensions having curved peripheral surfaces and being provided with slots, screws extending through said curved extensions, indices on the screws and movable in said slots, said extensions having graduations on the marginal edges of said slots opposite said indices, and said staff having graduations on i the end thereof opposite said extensions.

9. As an article of manufacture, a gauge of said extensions being curved to diflerent radii to conform to difierentfillet curves on car axle journals, said extensions being pro vided with slots having graduations on the marginal edge thereof, screws threaded through each extension, indices rigidly connected to said screws, said staff extending beyond said extension and being graduated, the opposite end of said staff being gradu ated, and a slide having an indexthereon slidably mounted on said stall. I I

10. A gauge for worn car axle journals comprising a staff having a curved portion at one end and adapted to engage the fillet. of a car axle journal, said curved portion having graduations thereon, indicator means adjustably mounted on said portion, a graduated extension beyond said curved portion, the other end of said stall being also provided with graduations and indicatormeans, said graduations and indicator means all coop crating to indicate the destined greater length of said journal should the fillet be restored to its normal curvature. I 11. A gauge for worn car axle journals comprising a staff, one end of which is provided with means for engaging the fillet of a car axle journal, said end having graduations and indicator means thereon, a graduated extension beyond said curved portion, the other end of said staff being also provided with graduations and indicator means, said graduations and indicator means all PORTIS H. MITCHELL.

cooperating to indicate the destined greater 

